2 new MLAs elected in Kitikmeot region

Two new MLAs will represent the Kitikmeot region in the next Nunavut legislative assembly.

Peter Taptuna was elected for the first time in the Kugluktuk constituency, while Enuk Paloosie won a close four-way race in Nattilik.

Kitikmeot, Nunavut's most westerly region, is on the border of the Northwest Territories and includes the communities of Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Kugluktuk, Taloyoak and Kugaaruk.

Four people from Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak ran in the Nattilik constituency, which was an open race after former health minister Leona Aglukkaq vacated her seat to successfully run for the Conservatives in the federal election.

Paloosie received 229 votes, or 34.5 per cent of the Nattilik total. Close behind were Jeannie Ugyuk, with 197 votes, and Louie Kamookak, with 192. Paul Ikuallaq trailed with 45 votes.

In the Kugluktuk constituency, former Kugluktuk deputy mayor Peter Taptuna was up against former MLA Donald Havioyak.

Taptuna took the seat with 294 votes to Havioyak's 178 votes.

Acclaimed, contested races

In Cambridge Bay, MLA Keith Peterson was acclaimed in this election.

First elected in 2004, Peterson was one of only two non-Inuit MLAs in the last assembly and is the only non-Inuit incumbent in this election.

The election race in Akulliq constituency, which includes Kugaaruk, was postponed by a court challenge by Jack Anawak. The former Nunavut politician is challenging Elections Nunavut's decision to disqualify him as a candidate because he had not lived in the territory for 12 consecutive months before Monday's election.

A byelection will be scheduled in Akulliq after the Nunavut Court of Justice delivers its decision on the case.